Sports

Tom Enlund

Trade winds pick up

Teams seek missing link

With the initial posturing and exploratory phone calls out of the way, the NBA's general managers have gotten down to business this week to determine what deals can be made before Thursday's trading deadline.

Things already started heating up Saturday, when the Dallas Mavericks and Washington Wizards swung into action with a seven-player swap.

But will any of the teams above the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference standings make a deal in an effort to improve themselves for the stretch run?

Let's take a look:

In Cleveland, there has been a lot of chatter about the Cavaliers possibly trading center Zydrunas Ilguaskas and his expiring $11.5 million contract, but other teams dealing with the Cavaliers are interested in forward J.J Hickson. While the Cavaliers have indicated they would take on money beyond this season, they are very reluctant to part with Hickson, who has become a favorite of both LeBron James and Shaquille O'Neal.

The Cavaliers reportedly have interest in Washington's Antawn Jamison, Detroit's Rip Hamilton and Indiana's Troy Murphy, but it's not as if Cleveland, which took a 13-game winning streak into the all-star break, is desperate to make a deal.

"Every team looks for a way to better themselves," said Cavaliers point guard Mo Williams. "There are only a few things you can do to make this team better."

In Atlanta, the Hawks are in contention for the Southeast Division title and general manager Rick Sund has indicated the core group of Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, Jamal Crawford, Marvin Williams, Mike Bibby and Al Horford would most likely remain intact. Beyond that, the Hawks don't have many players - maybe Maurice Evans? - and / or contracts that would interest other teams.

"Players start looking over their shoulders at this time of year," said Hawks coach Mike Woodson. "But our group should feel pretty good about what we've done up to this point."

In Boston, the struggling Celtics seem willing to make a move if they can get more athletic across the front line without mortgaging their future. Ray Allen's expiring contract ($19.7 million) remains the biggest bargaining chip.

Portland, offering the expiring contacts of Steve Blake or Travis Outlaw, is one of several teams that have inquired into the availability of Chicago's Tyrus Thomas. Chicago would love to clear some cap room for this summer, and dealing Kirk Hinrich, who has two years and $17 million left on his contract after this season, would be one way to do so. The Bulls, though, have played very well since Hinrich was inserted into the starting lineup at Christmas time.

No one likes to make a trade more than Charlotte coach Larry Brown, and the Bobcats have too many guards and need a backup power forward behind Boris Diaw. The Bobcats supposedly have talked to Boston (Rasheed Wallace, Glen Davis), Chicago (Thomas) and New York (Jordan Hill).

The two most likely Bobcats to go would be guards Flip Murray or D.J. Augustin, although Murray has teamed well with Stephen Jackson to revive the team offensively. Charlotte could turn to little-used Acie Law if it dealt Augustin.

Miami President Pat Riley needs to improve Dwyane Wade's supporting cast, and the Heat has been one of the teams said to be considering making a bid for Amare Stoudemire of Phoenix. The Heat has enough players and contracts to make such a deal happen (Michael Beasley, Quentin Richardson, Jermaine O'Neal, etc.), but Stoudemire's $17.7 million option for next season would most likely take the Heat out of the running to sign an elite free agent this summer.

Wade continues to say that it's what Riley comes up with this summer that will be the biggest factor in his decision regarding his impending free agency.

"To me, it's all about winning," said Wade. "So I can't go off of what our record is at the end of the season. It's all about what direction we're going in more than anything."

All seems to be quiet in Toronto, as the Raptors played well going into the break, while Orlando general manager Otis Smith has said repeatedly that he thinks his team is good enough to return to the Finals and does not plan on making any trades.

As for the Bucks, there have been rumblings they are eyeing Indiana's Murphy and that the Knicks like Luke Ridnour. But it remains very difficult for the Bucks to do anything major as long as the contracts of Michael Redd and Dan Gadzuric remain on the books.

Got any bobbleheads?

James and the Cavaliers were upset that O'Neal wasn't named as an injury-replacement player for the East all-star team, but O'Neal, who has been on 16 all-star teams, took it all in stride.

"I've got enough individual accolades to start my own sports bar," he said. "I wasn't brought here to shoot 30 shots a game or put up all-star numbers. Not making the all-star team is not going to make or break my career."

Roy ready to roll

Portland's Brandon Roy, who has been sidelined with a strained hamstring that he originally injured Jan. 13 against the Bucks, doesn't think the Blazers have to make a trade to make the Western playoffs.

Even without injured centers Greg Oden and Joel Przybilla, Roy said Portland could make some noise if everyone else was available. Roy could return this week.

"If we are healthy, with everybody besides Greg and Joel, we can beat any team in the West," said Roy. "If we get in a seven-game series, we can beat any team, even without having our centers."

Late-night dance party

After the all-star break, Golden State coach Don Nelson will put in place a new team policy that will require injured players to be on the bench with their teammates during games.

The Warriors have been beset with injuries this season, and many of the injured players have not been with the team during their rehabilitation. Raja Bell, in fact, has been in Miami since his wrist surgery Dec. 3.

Nelson wasn't pleased when he heard that Anthony Randolph, who is out with multiple ankle injuries, left the arena after the first quarter of a recent game and was reportedly at a nightclub during the game.

Working the whistles

After shooting eight free throws against Oklahoma City and 10 against the Los Angeles Clippers - his most attempts in any two-game span this season - Atlanta's Joe Johnson did not go to the foul line once in the next three games. Some in the Hawks' camp think Johnson would shoot more free throws if he got on the referees more, but Johnson says that's just not his style.

"I don't think I get the calls (other star players get)," said Johnson. "But I feel like there's no need to complain because I don't think it does any good.

"It don't get you better calls. If they make a bad call, they can't take it back, so what's the difference?"

Anger management

Forward Richard Jefferson has been a major disappointment in San Antonio.

Jefferson, obtained from the Bucks last summer, went into the break averaging 12.2 points and 3.6 rebounds and had 16 single-digit scoring games. He missed his first eight shots last week against the Lakers and finished with nine points on 2-for-9 shooting.

Richardson was yanked by coach Gregg Popovich three minutes into the game after he gave up consecutive three-pointers to Ron Artest, and he got an earful from Popovich when he got to the bench.

"They say when they stop yelling at you, that's when you have to be worried," said Jefferson. "Well, he hasn't stopped yelling at me yet."

Fast breaks

The Spurs are giving up 96.2 points per game, a team high under Popovich. . . .

Minnesota general manager David Kahn won't make a major trade because, he says, "It would be a mistake of epic proportions." . . .

Thunder coach Scott Brooks on the headphones Kevin Durant gave his teammates and coaches as a "thank you" after he made the all-star team: "I'd like a pair; mine are really old." . . .

Only three players (Gerald Wallace, Raymond Felton, Nazr Mohammed) remain on the Charlotte roster that Brown inherited when he took over as coach of the Bobcats before season.

THIS WEEK IN THE NBA

Miami comes out of the break by playing four road games in five nights at Philadelphia, New Jersey, Memphis and Dallas. The Heat will be looking for a way to be more consistent. "I wish I had that answer right now," said coach Erik Spoelstra. "It's something that we're working on and it's been a little bit perplexing. Guys understand that they heave to be accountable and step up. Guys want to. Nobody is feeling sorry for themselves or hiding under a rock or some of the normal things in professional sports when you go on a losing streak." Atlanta opens a four-game trip with games against the Los Angeles Clippers and Phoenix, while San Antonio's rodeo trip moves on to Indiana and Philadelphia. The Knicks and Bulls will play a back-to-back, Tuesday in Chicago and Wednesday in New York. Dallas has a busy week playing at Oklahoma City, at home against the Suns, at Orlando and at home against the Heat. Utah hits the road to play at Houston, New Orleans and Golden State.

GAME OF THE WEEK

Boston stops by the Staples Center on Thursday to play the Lakers in the second game of a four-game trip.

BUCKS WEEK

Carl Landry and the Rockets make their only visit to the Bradley Center on Wednesday to welcome the Bucks back from the break. Milwaukee will get a chance for some payback Friday in Detroit, and then Charlotte is at the Bradley Center on Saturday to play the first of four straight road games.

QUOTE

"It's hard to get blood out of a turnip. The guys are giving it everything they have. I'm not displeased with the effort. There are reasons we haven't won this year and I think those are obvious reasons."

- Golden State coach Don Nelson, on his injury-plagued team.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Cleveland coach Mike Brown admits he's biased, but he just can't see how anyone other than LeBron James would be the league's most valuable player. "I don't know how you can make a case for anybody else," said Brown. "That doesn't detract from what some other guys are doing. Some other guys are playing some good basketball. He's playing at an exceptional level right now." James went into the break as the league's leading scorer (29.9 points per game) and is also averaging 7.1 rebounds and 8.3 assists. James scored 11 of his 32 points in the fourth quarter to go along with 13 assists and eight rebounds to lead the Cavaliers over Orlando on Thursday night. It was Cleveland's 13th straight victory, which tied the franchise record and is the longest winning streak in the league this season. Orlando had won 10 of 12 games before falling to Cleveland. "You want to see how you match up and whether that winning streak is really valid," said James. The best part about James' MVP run? "I've never heard him talk about it," said Cleveland center Shaquille O'Neal. "He's always talking about the big picture. If you focus on the big picture, all the other things will come into place."

NUMBERS GAME

33 The Hawks' victories, one short of tying the team record (1993-'94) for most victories before the all-star break.

11 The Bobcats have shot more free throws than their opponent in each of their last 11 road games, tying the longest such road streak in the league over the last eight seasons.